What were the best city improvements in Auckland 2015?

2015 has been a big year for Auckland!

Plans have been rolling out all over the city to improve our public spaces, active and public transport routes, and community facilities.

The Lightpath – Te Ara I Whiti opened earlier this month, just in time for summertime cycling. The new magenta-coloured pedestrian and cycleway, which features interactive lighting, starts at Upper Queen Street. It links a new bridge over the motorways with the old Nelson Street motorway offramp.

Lightpath – Te Ara I Whiti

Lightpath – Te Ara I Whiti

It now provides a flyover exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians which connects the Northwestern and Grafton Gully cycleways to Victoria Street. Plans are in the pipeline to extend the cycleway from the Victoria Street end through to Quay Street by mid 2016, connecting the Lightpath to the waterfront cycle network.

The Wynyard Quarter pedestrian and cycle network has also been extended with Westhaven Promenade, a boardwalk which runs along the edge of Westhaven Marina, opened earlier in the year. Wynyard Quarter has seen continued public space developments as well, including the addition of water play features in the Daldy Street play area.

Westhaven Promenade

Daldy Street play area

Plans for the new public transport network have forged ahead, with electric trains now up and running along the Southern and Western lines and new services being added. Consultation about new bus and ferry services been underway with communities all over Auckland, with new networks set to roll out during 2016 and 2017 in a number of areas.

Artistic impression of new Albert Street Buslanes

The Hibiscus Coast bus network was one of the first to be revamped, with new services added and simplified zone fares introduced this year.

Major long-awaited community facilities have opened in Ōtāhuhu and Glen Innes in 2015. Tōia, Ōtāhuhu’s new multi use facility, includes a new aquatic and leisure centre, playground and library.

Te Oro is a music and arts centre for youth in Glen Innes that opened in May. Te Oro won a swag of awards at the New Zealand Best Awards and offers a wide range of classes from harekeke weaving to hip hop production, as well as offering dance and drama productions in its theatre.

One Response to “What were the best city improvements in Auckland 2015?”

Loved the Nelson Off ramp magenta walkway/ cycleway best. My husband and I have taken an English friend too, as we have visited both in daylight and at night. Enjoyed the Maori designs and the families using it. GREAT!

We saw the Christmas in the Park fireworks from it, and are intending to visit it again at New Year Eve at midnight. We are looking forward to more like it, please.